DC Microgrids in the Netherlands

DC Microgrids in the Netherlands

Wattel, M.J.

Lukszo, Z. (mentor)
Herder, P.M. (mentor)
Warnier, M.E. (mentor)
Schaacke, R. (mentor)

Technology, Policy and Management

Energy

SEPAM

2013-08-02

The Dutch electricity system is changing and subject to multiple developments. Important developments are the increasing share of distributed energy resources (DER?s) such as solar panels and the increasing use of electronics like computers and televisions. While DER?s produce DC (Direct Current) power, electronics consume DC power. Nevertheless, the main electricity grid is based on AC (Alternate Current) power, which has been the standard since the 1890?s. This requires the electricity generated from DER?s to be inverted to AC power first before it can be delivered to the main grid. Subsequently, electronics need to convert the AC power back to DC power again before it can be used. This reduces the efficiency of the electricity system. DC microgrids are local small scale electricity grids, usually powered by DER?s. DC power from DER?s can directly be fed into this grid, while DC consuming devices can directly consume this electricity, resulting in a higher efficiency than the conventional electricity system based on AC. Applying DC microgrids has more advantages. It can reduce cost of raw materials while batteries and Electronic Vehicles (EV?s) can be integrated easily. Additionally, this type of electricity supply is more reliable. However, integrating DC microgrids in the Dutch electricity system is not easy since the standard for electricity transport and distribution has been AC for more than a century. This causes path dependence: the phenomenon of having a limited choice of decisions as a consequence of decisions made in the past. This leads to the following research question, investigated in this research: “What is the feasibility of integrating DC microgrids in the Dutch electricity system?” To examine this research question, a feasibility framework has been designed. This framework is based on the multi-level perspective, complemented by other theories and serves to analyze dynamics of transitions in socio-technical systems. The electricity supply system is an example of a socio-technical system (STS); an integration of technical artifacts, coordinated by human agencies that serve societal functions such as electricity supply. By using the framework, the main drivers and barriers that influence the transition are identified, including the way they influence the electricity system. The main drivers of DC microgrids are a reduction of costs, an increase of the reliability of the electricity supply and a better facilitation of developments in the electricity system. The main barriers to this system include the absence of developed standards and codes needed for DC appliances, engineers that „think? in AC power, power electronics that have not yet been fully developed and the „chicken-and-egg?-problem: first DC appliances or DC households. To examine the influence of these forces, the problem window and the solution window have been defined, and together lead to a window of opportunity for a transition. It is concluded that the solution window is opened: the advantages of DC microgrids are significant, and the developments are promising. Important actors in the electricity system consider DC microgrids as a serious alternative technology. However, for a transition and a window of opportunity, a problem window needs to be opened as well, which is not the case at this moment. A problem window opens when important actors and policy makers in the electricity system have a sense of urgency to solve certain problems to which DC microgrids could form a solution. Creating a sense of urgency among these actors could enhance the transition to DC microgrids. Other means that could enhance the transition to DC microgrids are described in a roadmap including: stimulating the dissemination of knowledge about DC microgrids, to execute pilot projects and to develop standards and norms for DC applications and systems.

DC microgrids
Dutch electricity system
multi-level perspective
socio-technical systems
transitions

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:60938242-835c-4b17-9850-85b881c90e1a

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2013 Wattel, M.J.